ϒ A Victorian brass bound mahogany carriage clock case For a carriage clock by James McCabe, London, circa 1850 Of rectangular form with recessed brass carrying handle to top and rounded brass bound edges, the front with central panel sliding upwards to reveal the green velvet lined interior before folding back to allow the section incorporating ivory plaque inscribed JAMES McCABE, Royal Exchange, LONDON, No 2778 to form the upper margin of the aperture, the rear with door set flush within the frame of the case, 25cm (9.75ins) high. James McCabe junior succeeded his father of the same name was one of the most successful English clock and watchmakers of the 19th century. He was apprenticed to Reid and Auld of Edinburgh and was admitted to the Clockmaker's Company as a Free Brother in 1822. Around this time McCabe entered into short lived partnership with Strahan (probably Charles who gained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in 1815). From 1826 James McCabe managed the business alone from 97 Cornhill until 1838 when he was forced to temporarily relocate to 32 Cornhill due to a major fire at the Royal Exchange. It was at this time (1825-43) that Thomas Cole worked for McCabe before setting up his own to produce distinctive and highly decorative timepieces in his own unmistakable style. The business was subsequently continued by Robert Jeremy until his retirement in 1883.The current lot would have housed a particularly fine giant carriage clock made at the height of James McCabe's career. The fittings to the inside of the case suggest that clock number 2778 would have been of one of McCabe's distinctive designs with the case incorporating scroll-outline canted angles (see Roberts, Derek CARRIAGE and Other Travelling CLOCKS page 292). ϒ indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.